DONE.....FedEx or UPS? $$$?

[Steve Lipsey]

I remember that one of these - FedEx or UPS - got really expensive a while ago, but I don't remember which one...any recent experience out there?
-Shipping from Oregon, one box to California, one to Massachusetts....
-Interested in Shipping + Insurance costs. I'll do the packing (have original padded boxes).
Thanks!

[Jerry Overstreet]

Take your pick. In my experience, FedEx is a little less expensive, but not by much. I've always had good luck with them, but every location is different and humans are human.

If you set up an account with either it will save a little on shipping costs.

[Bill McCloskey]

Fedex is cheaper.

[scott murray]

and better in my experience

[Lee Rider]

I use a service called pirateship.com. They are a reseller for Fedex, UPS and USPS and generally give a pretty good discount from each shipper.

[Larry Allen]

Other option is USPS Ground Advantage, I’ve used this several times for steels and amps.. Just sent a 50 lb steel to Palenscar, took 4 days, $78.. Kauai-California

[Steve Lipsey]

well, my apartment house has an account with UPS, and Tim uses UPS to ship Milkman amps (which is what I'm shipping), so that's what I did.
And you CAN get insurance with UPS but not FedEx ( believe)...which mattered to me.

The Milkman boxes from Tim say "Milkman" but NOT "Fragile"...I wonder if that is due to the apocryphal story that marking them "Fragile" is an invitation for a bored shipping guy to see how far he can toss them...

[scott murray]

FedEx offers insurance

[Jerry Overstreet]

I used USPS GA for a long time, and still do for 6x9 padded envelopes things, but lately their service has been spotty. Just last week it took almost 3 weeks for a 15# GA pkg. to make it to Louisville from Georgia. Tracking just stalled for a week and a half or so in Chattanooga with no updates. Trying to get info from them was a dead end.

My guy at the local USPS office took the time to check to see if it was actually posted to my zip code so that I knew it was a legitimate tracking # and at least headed for my zip code although he couldn't tell me if it was posted to my address because the actual destination address is not available. Nice fellow there, but he can only offer the info that is available to him.

Yes, it did finally get here in one piece, but very frustrating with the lack of tracking info.

For most other items I'm stil using FedEx. I pack myself and deliver to the FedEx depot about 6 or 7 miles from me. I quit using the other drop off services that handle FedEx shipments closer to me as their info is unreliable.

Just beware of FedEx's online calculator if you have an account. I just sent an amp that was calculated to around $70 which ended up costing me $119 which I didn't know until days later when my account was undated. No avenue to dispute or even get clarifiation. Very p.o'ed.

Both UPS and FedEx use what they call Declared Value, not the same as insurance as many of us have discovered.

[Larry Allen]

Aloha Jerry, another vote for USPS GA. Damir sent me a steel, Nashville-Kauai, $80..this one took almost 2 weeks during Xmas.. had tracking..

[Rick McNamara]

My Two Cents,

I have always used UPS direct and always packed so the driver had a guitar case handle available for them to use. No issues with any shipment

You can schedule UPS to pick up at your door and you can insure for true value of the guitar. Just print off a copy of your order and they will sign and date for proof of receipt,

You just need electronic scales and good packing technique!

Seems like I paid $175 for a Fender SS-400 in case in 2022. Insured for $1000. But it’s been awhile!

FWIW!
Rick

[Steve Lipsey]

I actually made a mistake...there is a sticky for this topic, which I should have used.
Package sent, no more input needed, but thanks to all who chimed in...

[Bob Hoffnar]

Keep in mind that if you pack it yourself it is more difficult to collect an insurance claim. One thing I do to save money is to use my musical instrument insurance policy to cover the shipping insurance. Just saved about $100 last week.